Time passed and the sun was not nearly as high as it had been when Hak had left. Worried, Yona covered her bright hair with a hood and set out with Yun to find him and, since in town, buy some food.
As they were walking, Yona saw a brown-haired woman trip and fall down. Yun went on, but Yona helped her up.
"To think that I can no longer walk properly," the woman said, her dark, fox-like eyes curving into crescents. "Thank you, kind traveller."
"Oh, it's nothing," said Yona. "Are you okay?"
"Of course, just a bit tired. I just need a good night's rest."
"Good," the princess said before blurting out, "Could you help us? We are looking for a super annoying guy. He's as tall and heavy as a boulder and bullies me 'cause I can't hit him without hurting my fists."
"I know six people like that personally," the woman replied. "Why, I was one of them myself."
"Of course," Yona said politely, looking doubtfully at the woman's scrawny figure. She was tall, yes, but lacking all other qualities of a boulder. Deciding not to dwell on it, she added, "And he has black hair and blue eyes. Really pretty, really bright blue."
After thinking for a moment, the woman shook her head and said, "Sorry, I haven't seen him."
"Too bad," Yona sighed before remembering to add, "Thank you for helping us. We'll be on our way, then."
"I don't see your companion," the woman remarked, glancing behind Yona. "Why do you say 'us'?"
Yona looked around, and noticed that Yun was gone. She laughed awkwardly. "Make that two people I want to find. I'll be off, then."
"Good luck!"
"Thank you! Good-bye!"
"Good-bye!"
...
Meanwhile, at the camp, Ki-ja and Shin-ah got worried about Yona, so they set out to look for her. Shin-ah searched in the woods and Ki-ja in town.
...
Around that time, Yun realised Yona was gone. He ran about the streets of Awa, looking left and right, searching for Yona with his eyes but not daring to call her name.
...
On the pirate ship, there was complete peace. No one worried about Sen or Jae-ha at all. Pirates were doing their chores, some whistling, some cursing. Li Hua was telling funny anecdotes, and Captain Gi-gan was smoking a pipe.
...
Hak arrived at the camp and realised everyone was gone. He remembered something about human trafficking and Yona being a possible victim. Picking up his spear, he hurried back into Port Awa.
...
Although Sen knew that going back through Awa was stupid, she had to take the risk for the sake of the drug that would help her sleep. However, the exact house where the medicine was supposedly sold was surrounded by officers, and Sen dared not to go near. The merchant was probably in trouble, but Sen knew she had no chance against five well-trained men. So she pushed the matter to the back of her mind, and slipped into a small alley before anyone could notice her.
...
Since the sun had set and he had wanted to ask a few things of Sen that day, Jae-ha left the brothel and began to walk home. As he turned around a corner, he came face to face with Hak, looking tired and fed up.
"Why, hello, dear friend," sang Jae-ha, jumping over to his side. "Have you reconsidered my offer?"
"That overlord has probably captured my master," said Hak with a scowl. "I want her back."
"I'll take that as a yes. But why do you think Kum-ji stole your almost-lover?" asked Jae-ha. "Was she that beautiful?"
"She's been gone for hours. She had red hair and is quite pretty, so I thought—"
"Mm-hmm. How do you know," Jae-ha spun around and hopped on top of a barrel, "that she isn't simply lost?"
That had never occured to Hak. He found it to be logical and reasonable, so he went as far as to consider it a possible option.
"If so," he asked cautiously, "will you help me find her?"
"And then you'll join my group."
"And then I'll join your group."
"Deal," said Jae-ha. "Let's look for her 'til sunrise. If we don't find her, she's captured by Kum-ji."
"Good," Hak agreed. "And if she is, I wouldn't give a copper lin for that bastard's life."
….
Only a few streets away, Ki-ja was searching for Yona as well. He stiffened, feeling the presence of the Green Dragon so near. He turned toward the place he thought the Dragon was, but only bumped into a girl.
"Ow," she said, trying to regain her balance. Her eyes seemed glued to the ground as she mumbled an apology.
"Pardon me, I was—Sen?" Ki-ja looked at her in surprise. "How come you're here?"
"Ki-ja?" Sen smiled but felt like groaning."I left my brother's bride's wedding veil here and it was very important to me, so I—so I decided it was worth the risk. But there were officer's near my home, and I'm sure my brother would have wanted me to live..." She sniffled. "Can I coerce you into leaving with me now?
"Actually, yes," Ki-ja replied. Sen's eyes lit up before he added, "Hpwever, I can only leave once we find my beautiful master. I have reason to believe that she is lost. I know I am asking too much, but could you help me find her."
"With officers around?" Sen asked, aghast. There was no way. She'd rather this guy attack Jae-ha than be captured by officers. "I'm not sure—:"
"Please," Ki-ja begged, falling to his knees. "Sen, I implore you." I cannot let her suffer the same fate as your brother's bride, please help me find her!"
You think I'll fall for emotional manipulation? Dream on! My brother's wife doesn't even know Awa exists.
"I doubt—" Sen began, trying to phrase her thoughts nicely but noticing the thick arms of the man opposite her. He could snap her neck in an instant. And after falling twice, she was not certain she could outrun him. Deciding to be a little less blatant about rejecting him. "I mean, who are we looking for?"
"She is a peerless beauty who outshines even immortal fairies. Though I have travelled far and wide, but never have I met another woman I could compare to her. Her face is—" and Ki-ja, with a blissful smile, began to list his Master's features. Sen watched him with an odd feeling in her heart. That smile she knew very well, the sign of feelings that would not easily disappear. She looked up at the stars as memories of past loves flashed past her eyes.
"Sen? Hello? Are you feeling quite alright?"
"Ah?" she turned her face to him, showing a somewhat bewildered expression. "Sorry, I might have been distracted. Just tell me how to recognise her, and I'll help you find her. Okay?"
"Alright," said Ki-ja. "Thank you very much. As I was saying, she has bright red hair, big grey eyes, and her name is Yona..."
Sen's smile froze on her face. A lost girl is one thing. A lost princess is another. Especially if the princess is supposed to be dead.
...
Shin-ah ran into Yun, but neither of them had found anything or anyone of interest. They decided to search again.
...
Hak couldn't believe it. In this large town, not one person had seen a girl with red hair. Many of the passersby didn't even reply to his question, and those who did answered in whispers before sneaking away stealthily.
Jae-ha exited a tavern and shook his head sorrowfully.
"No one's seen her," he told Hak. "I'll go ask that old lady next."
...
Standing at the well, Sen stared at the smooth water within. Her reflection stared back with the same icy gaze. Pure hatred shone from both faces. The cause of their hate popped up next to them.
Ki-ja.
Sen's freezing glare turned into a sunny smile.
"Any luck?" she asked sweetly. Ki-ja shook his head. He felt tired and miserable
"Too bad. She might've gone back, you know," she said. "Would you like some water?"
Ki-ja nodded. Sen drew him a bucketful of water and handed it to him. His face showed clearly that he wished for something more refined, maybe a cup, but he accepted it anyway. He closed his eyes and drank. He thought he heard the swishing of cloth, but the sound was soon gone.
"Miss, is there any other place we haven't looked yet?" Ki-ja said, putting down the bucket.
No one answered.
There was no one around who could.
Ki-ja turned and searched with his eyes, but his companion had vanished completely.
"How queer," he mused. "She must have said good-bye, but I didn't hear her."
A reddish line appeared on the horizon. Red like a rose, like blood, or Yona's hair. Ki-ja smiled dreamily. A new day. The start of a new day. The day he would find Yona.
To Hak, the rising sun meant something entirely different .
"I guess this means Kum-ji has her," said Jae-ha regretfully. "I wonder what will happen to her?"
Hak scowled, his expression distorting his otherwise handsome features. His voice was chilling as he spoke.
"I wonder what will happen to him. Tell me where he is and I'll-"
"You'd be dead long before you even got close to finding her," said Jae-ha, turning to walk towards the sea. "Let's go see Gi-gan, I'm sure she'll come up with something."
"Yeah, let's," Hak grumbled, stomping after him.
They were not the only ones watching the sunrise. Yona, the root of all the trouble, sat with her hair covered with her hood and looked up to watch as the golden-red sun appeared above the thin blue clouds. The magic of it was soon broken by the sound of footsteps approaching, so she curled up and looked down. The person stopped right in front of her.
"Is this yours?" she asked. Her voice sounded familiar. Yona lifted her head. It was the girl she had helped up the day before, holding a small, polished wooden box.
Sen recognised her as well.
Red hair.
The kidnapped princess.
Must avoid.
Yona nodded and took the box, tears streaming down her face. Sen sat down beside her with a keen look in her eyes.
"What happened?" she asked. Yona clung onto Sen's arm and sobbed quietly.
"I-I saw soldiers kill a little boy a-and—and I just couldn't do anything!"
Sen's instinct told her something was wrong. She looked at the princess with suspicion.
"Was this on Haoshuu Street?" she asked, cautiously. Yona nodded. Sen sighed, wondering how to break the news to Ke-sel. He had been wuite close to the merchant's family.
"Did you interfere?" she asked, deciding to deal with the matter on hand.
"No, I c-couldn't save him—oh, why am I so weak?" Yona buried her head into the fabric of Sen's sleeve. The pirate-woman felt uncomfortable. She didn't know what to say.
"You never saw anyone get killed before?" she muttered. Yona shook, and started to cry even more.
"M-My father—" she began, but couldn't finish. Sen realised her mistake.
"I'm sorry. Miss, is there anyone after you?"
"I-I don't think so," Yona replied, confused.
"I see," Sen hummed. "I see. Do you have anywhere to stay?"
Yona's expression darkened again. Sen realised this was the dumbest thing she could possibly ask from a lost girl.
"Umm. I mean, I can offer you a place if you aren't seasick," Sen corrected. "And we can find your friends after you've slept."
Ki-ja would leave if he got the girl, right? And then such a troublesome existence, this time-bomb of a princess would disappear from her life.
"Sure!" Yona smiled her biggest smile. "And after that, we will ask whoever is in charge of Awa to punish the murderer."
"Ask Lord Yang, right?" murmured Sen.
What a silly princess.